Maryland State Police

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Regulated Firearms Dealers

A Regulated Firearms Dealer is defined as a person who is, or seeks to be, engaged in the business of selling, renting, or transferring regulated firearms for either wholesale or retail. A Regulated Firearms Dealer must be licensed by the Maryland State Police, and must have a valid Federal Firearms License prior to the submission of the Maryland Regulated Firearms Dealer application.

Beginning May 1, 2023, the Maryland State Police Licensing Division will transition Maryland Regulated Firearms Dealer's License applications (both Initial and Renewals) to an electronic format in the Licensing Portal. New applicants wishing to obtain a Regulated Firearms Dealer’s License and current Regulated Firearms Dealers wishing to renew their license will be required to submit their application and all required documentation in the Licensing Portal​. Current Regulated Firearms Dealers should note that they will be required to log into the Licensing Portal using a personal account, NOT their current Dealer ID Portal logon credentials.


​

Who Should Apply?


 A person who is, or seeks to be, engaged in the business of selling, renting, or transferring regulated firearms at wholesale or retail must possess a State of Maryland Regulated Firearms Dealer's License. The Regulated Firearms Dealer's License may be obtained by submitting an original application to the Maryland State Police. APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED OR PROCESSED WITHOUT A VALID FEDERAL FIREARMS LICENSE (FFL). A separate Regulated Firearms Dealer's License​ is required for each place of business where regulated firearms are sold, rented, or transferred.

How To Apply

 

To apply, access the Licensing Portal and log into a personal account. If you do not possess a personal account, one can be created on this page by clicking "CREATE MY ACCOUNT" (Please note: Regulated Firearms Dealers that existed prior to the transition to the Licensing Portal on May 1, 2023, must use a personal Portal account, not their Dealer ID Portal logon credentials). ​Once logged in, click "START DLR" on the Licensing Portal DASHBOARD page to begin a Regulated Firearms Dealer​ application (original, renewal or modification).

Applicants will be required to upload the following documents:

  1. A copy of the applicant's current valid Federal Firearms License;
  2. A current passport style photograph of the applicant;
  3. A copy of the applicant's current valid government issued identification card (ie; Drivers License);
  4. A copy of the applicant's current trader's license (if inventory is maintained);
  5. A copy of the applicant's retail sales tax license, and;
  6. Receipt that electronic fingerprints were submitted containing the tracking number (Original applications only).

If the applicant is a corporation, the application shall be completed and executed by a corporate officer who is a resident of the State of Maryland.

How Much Does It Cost?

 

  • Original application: $50
  • Renewal application: $25
  • Modification: $0
All application fees are collected electronically upon submission of the application in the Licensing Portal. Application​ fees are non-refundable.

FAQ

  • Do I need a Handgun Qualification License (HQL) in order to purchase a lower receiver?
    <div class="ExternalClass3DD031265BE4452DA55B210EA3256C5E"><p><span style="font-size&#58;13px;">​No, a lower receiver of a banned assault long gun is classified by the State&#160;</span><span style="font-size&#58;13px;">as a “firearm,” but not a “handgun”. &#160;A Handgun Qualification License (HQL)&#160;</span><span style="font-size&#58;13px;">is only needed if you are purchasing a handgun that is not classified as a&#160;</span><span style="font-size&#58;13px;">curio and relic.</span><span style="font-size&#58;8pt;">​</span></p></div>
  • May I build my lower receiver purchased at any time into a handgun?
    <div class="ExternalClass45C5D2E584A04614A1AF9414166695AA"><p>​<span style="font-size&#58;13px;">Yes, a lower receiver of a banned assault long gun may be manufactured provided there is compliance with federal and other state laws—into a&#160;</span><span style="font-size&#58;13px;">handgun.</span><span style="font-size&#58;8pt;">​</span></p></div>
  • May I build my lower receiver purchased after 10/1/2013 into an assault long gun?
    <div class="ExternalClassD4249241E14E431BBD6D650BCF7BDC62"><p><span style="font-family&#58;&quot;segoe ui&quot;, segoe, tahoma, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size&#58;13px;">​N​o, a lower receiver of a banned assault long gun purchased after 10/1/2013 may be built—provided there is compliance with federal and other state&#160;</span><span style="font-size&#58;13px;">laws—only into a handgun, a short barreled rifle that has an overall length of 29 inches or greater, or if the lower receiver is an AR15 platform, into a&#160;</span><span style="font-size&#58;13px;">heavy barrel model.</span><span style="font-size&#58;8pt;">​</span></span></p></div>
  • How do you verify the credentials of current or retired military personnel?
    <div class="ExternalClassB91BFCB5C76B479CB80D303872584B97"><p>​Please refer to the following web-page.</p> <p><a href="http&#58;//www.cac.mil/" target="_blank">http&#58;//www.cac.mil​​</a></p></div>
  • What if the applicant is a corporation?
    <div class="ExternalClass27E9564C0233407D8EBB47C3DD71D988"><p>​If the applicant is a corporation, the application shall be completed and executed by a corporate officer who is a resident of the State of Maryland.​</p></div>
  • Can Maryland Regulated Firearms Dealers transfer Regulated firearms at gun shows?
    <div class="ExternalClass230953A04DFB49ABAAD6D2BCF154769D"><p>​Yes. COMAR 29.03.01.21 (&quot;Transfer of Regulated Firearms Sold at Gun Shows&quot;) states&#58;</p> <p>&quot;A. A seller or dealer may not transfer a regulated firearm sold from a table or fixed display at a gun show until the eighth day after the seller or dealer has forwarded the application to purchase or transfer a regulated firearm by certified mail or facsimile machine to the Secretary.</p> <p>B. A dealer may conduct business at a gun show if&#58;</p> <p>(1) A legible photostatic copy of a valid Dealer's License is displayed prominently in public view as part of the display;</p> <p>(2) All business conducted at a gun show is from a table or fixed display; and</p> <p>(3) The dealer conducts business in compliance with Public Safety Article, Title 5, Subtitle 1, Annotated Code of Maryland.&quot;​</p> <div>​<br></div></div>
  • Is there an HQL exemption for a dealer when he is considering transfers from his personal stock which could be a purchase not applicable for entry into the federal Acquisition and Disposal Book, but for personal use?
    <div class="ExternalClassC0EACA3DD61B4F70BFF2FB072E52F7E0"><p>​If the dealer is a sole proprietor, then business stock is also the dealer's personal property. &#160;No 77R or HQL is required if the dealer transfers a regulated firearm from dealer stock to personal collection. If the sole proprietor dealer wanted to buy a handgun directly for his personal possession (from a licensed dealer in MD), then the dealer would have to complete the 77R and have a HQL.​</p></div>
  • The new law expressly exempts Firearms manufacturers from the HQL. Firearm Manufacturers only account for approximately 10% of licensed Maryland dealers. Is there an exemption for firearms dealers from the HQL requirement?
    <div class="ExternalClass03F485461FE54BE2830B15DB4746C297"><p>​The Public Safety Article 5-102(6) exempts dealers from all requirements of Title 5, Subtitle 1 of Public Safety. &#160;Dealers can acquire handguns without an HQL for dealer stock. So, a dealer does not need an HQL to acquire stock. &#160;If the dealer is a corporation or LLC and it wants to sell a handgun to one of its employees or corporate officers, the purchaser will need to complete a 77R and have a HQL. &#160;If the dealer is a sole proprietor, then the business stock is also their personal property and no 77R/HQL would be necessary for transfers from &quot;business stock&quot; to &quot;personal collection.​</p></div>
  • Based upon the legislation, is it 'defined' for the dealers what they must do exactly in order to notify transferees of the 72 hour requirement for lost/stolen regulated firearm?
    <div class="ExternalClass0C04269CF36347DDA91ABE522DD4B2A9"><p>​The Public Safety Article, 5-146(a) states that the dealer/seller/transferor &quot;shall notify the purchaser or recipient . . . .&quot; &#160;The statute doesn't provide any further guidance. &#160;A response to question #23 on the newly revised 77R that the dealer did so is sufficient.​</p></div>
  • What do I do if I move to a new place of business? Do I keep my old license?
    <div class="ExternalClassDD262B81EF8949C38B5AC382AFDC915F"><p>​A dealer's license is not transferable. Prior to moving a place of business, a licensee shall inform the Secretary and surrender the dealer's license.​</p></div>

​​

When Should I Renew?

 

Regulated Firearms Dealer's Licenses expire on the first June 30 after its effective date. Renewal requests must be received 30 business days prior to expiration to allow for the completion of a background investigation.


Note:  If you are experiencing issues viewing any of the documents on our website please Click Here​.​​​

Type
  
Doc Title
  
Category
  
Description
expand Firearms Dealers : 2010 Advisories & Bulletins ‎(1)
expand Firearms Dealers : 2013 Advisories & Bulletins ‎(7)
expand Firearms Dealers : 2014 Advisories & Bulletins ‎(5)
expand Firearms Dealers : 2015 Advisories & Bulletins ‎(3)
expand Firearms Dealers : 2016 Advisories & Bulletins ‎(7)
expand Firearms Dealers : 2017 Advisories & Bulletins ‎(14)
expand Firearms Dealers : 2018 Advisories & Bulletins ‎(1)
expand Firearms Dealers : 2020 Advisories & Bulletins ‎(6)
expand Firearms Dealers : 2021 Advisories & Bulletins ‎(2)
expand Firearms Dealers : 2022 Advisories & Bulletins ‎(5)
expand Firearms Dealers : 2023 Advisories & Bulletins ‎(2)
expand Firearms Dealers : 2024 Advisories ‎(1)
expand Firearms Dealers : Application Documentation ‎(3)
expand Firearms Dealers : Dealer Seminar Powerpoints ‎(4)
expand Firearms Dealers : Statutes ‎(2)
​​​